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green peach aphid
Potato Treasure Valley - Oregon
green peach aphid
Posted on: July 10, 2012 by Jerry Neufeld
Dr. Clint Shock, Superintendent at the OSU Malheur Experiment Station is reporting that green peach aphid populations are spiking in Malheur County potato fields.
Zebra chip pathogen confirmed in Idaho, and more Lso-positiv
Potato Magic Valley
potato psyllid & zebra chip
Posted on: July 9, 2012 by Erik Wenninger
Updated 8 July 2012
The potato psyllid sample from June 19 in Twin Falls County that tested positive for liberibacter, the zebra chip pathogen, was confirmed to be positive by gene sequencing. Samples from the following week (one from the Kimberly R&E Center and one from the same grower’s field in Twin Falls County) also have tested positive for liberibacter by PCR.
A few more adult potato psyllids (collected on July 3) have been found on yellow sticky traps in two different commercial potato fields in Twin Falls County, Idaho. These samples should be tested for liberibacter this week. Numbers of psyllids continue to be rather low (1 and 3 psyllids per field), and we have yet to find potato psyllids of any life stage on potato plants themselves, suggesting that colonization of fields has not yet occurred.
Field bindweed found harboring potato psyllid eggs in a grower’s field last week tested negative for PCR, which is consistent with studies by USDA-ARS, Wapato suggesting that field bindweed is not a host to Liberibacter. More field bindweed with potato psyllids was found along edges of a potato field in Gooding County, ID. Both eggs and early instar nymphs were found. Although reported to not be a host for liberibacter, this weed is a suitable host for potato psyllids. The importance of field bindweed and other alternate weed hosts of potato psyllids (e.g., nightshades) in facilitating spread of psyllids into potato fields remains to be explored, but good weed management might aid in psyllid management in potato.
We continue to encourage scouting in order to make the most sound and appropriate management steps for a given field.
Refer to the following sites for guidance on scouting and IPM programs for potato psyllids:
http://www.kimberly.uidaho.edu/potatoes/
http://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/1957/30058/pnw633.pdf
» http://www.kimberly.uidaho.edu/potatoes/
» http://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/1957/30058/pnw633.pdf
sugarbeets
Sugarbeets Treasure Valley - Idaho
powdery mildew
Posted on: July 6, 2012 by Jerry Neufeld
The Amalgamated Sugar Company Crop Consultants are saying that now is the time to plan your treatments for powdery mildew in sugarbeets. While mildew has not yet been found in the Treasure Valley, Amalgamated Crop Consultants say the modes of action of the mildew chemistries work best if treatments are applied before mildew is found in the field. They are recommending mildew applications start in the west end of the Treasure Valley in the near future for surface irrigated fields. Sprinkler irrigated fields can potentially be delayed by another week or more depending on temperatures. Contact your Amalgamated Crop Consultant for information regarding these treatment recommendations and rotation of chemistries.
onion thrips and green peach aphid
Onion Treasure Valley - Oregon
onion thrips and green peach aphid
Posted on: July 2, 2012 by Jerry Neufeld
Dr. Clint Shock from the OSU Malheur Experiment Station is reporting the following:
onion thrips populations in Ontario area are high where not well controlled.
Green peach aphid populations are still low on potato across Malheur County.
Squash bugs are showing up on squash in Ontario.
Zebra chip pathogen found in Idaho
Potato Magic Valley
potato psyllid & zebra chip
Posted on: July 2, 2012 by Erik Wenninger
Adult psyllids collected from a sticky card on a commercial field in Twin Falls County on June 19 have tentatively tested positive for Liberibacter, the bacterium that causes zebra chip. PCR tests conducted last week by Alex Karasev’s lab are being followed up this week by sequencing the bands to confirm that the sequences belong to Liberibacter. In the mean time, additional psyllids collected last week from this site and from the U-Idaho Kimberly R&E Center will be tested this week for Liberibacter.
We still have not found psyllids of any life stage on potato plants themselves. However, field bindweed was found along the edge of the field near the sticky card with “hot” psyllids, and today we found potato psyllid eggs (but no other life stages) on several field bindweed plants. The importance of this finding in relation to psyllid infestations in potato remains to be explored, but, considering potato psyllids have a broad host range that includes at least 20 plant families, weed management might aid in psyllid management in potato fields. The infested field bindweed also will be tested for Liberibacter.
This is the first (preliminary) finding of Liberibacter-infected psyllids in the Pacific Northwest this season; however, we still strongly recommend that fields be scouted in order to make the most sound and appropriate management steps for a given field.
Refer to the following sites for guidance on scouting and IPM programs for potato psyllids:
http://www.kimberly.uidaho.edu/potatoes/
http://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/1957/30058/pnw633.pdf
» http://www.kimberly.uidaho.edu/potatoes/
» http://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/1957/30058/pnw633.pdf
More potato psyllids found in Idaho…
Potato Magic Valley
potato psyllid
Posted on: June 29, 2012 by Erik Wenninger
Updated 29 June 2012
Erik Wenninger, Nora Olsen, Phil Nolte, Mike Thornton, and Alex Karasev, in cooperation with Jeff Miller and Andy Jensen, are monitoring potato fields in Idaho for potato psyllids and Liberibacter, the bacterium that causes zebra chip (ZC). We found four adult potato psyllids on sticky cards that were collected on June 26 from a grower’s field in Twin Falls County. These were collected from the same site from which we collected two adult psyllids the previous week. We also found four adult potato psyllids on sticky cards that were collected on June 27 on bulk potatoes next to our insecticide trials at the Kimberly R&E Center. The samples are being shipped to campus to be tested for presence of Liberibacter. No potato psyllids were found this week at any of the other fields being monitored by our group in Idaho. Numbers of potato psyllids found are still low, and so far no immature potato psyllids have been found in leaf samples at any sites. We suggest that scouting programs in Idaho be intensified, and that IPM programs be ready. Samples can be taken to the Kimberly R&E Center for confirmation of potato psyllid identification. Refer to the following sites for guidance on scouting and IPM programs for potato psyllids:
http://potatoes.com/IPMStuff/PDFs/Idaho%20recommendations%20%202012%20final.pdf
http://www.potatoes.com/pdfs/PotatoPsyllid.pdf
http://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/1957/30058/pnw633.pdf
More information on potato psyllids and zebra chip can be found here: http://www.kimberly.uidaho.edu/potatoes/
» http://potatoes.com/IPMStuff/PDFs/Idaho%20recommendations%20%202012%20final.pdf
First potato psyllids found in a commercial field in Idaho…
Potato Magic Valley
potato psyllid
Posted on: June 26, 2012 by Erik Wenninger
Erik Wenninger, Nora Olsen, Phil Nolte, Mike Thornton, and Alex Karasev, in cooperation with Jeff Miller and Andy Jensen, are monitoring potato fields in Idaho for potato psyllids and Liberibacter, the bacterium that causes zebra chip (ZC). We found two adult potato psyllids on sticky cards that were collected on 19 June from a grower’s field in Twin Falls County. This is the first potato psyllid finding we are aware of from a commercial potato field in Idaho during 2012. The samples are being shipped to campus today to be tested for presence of Liberibacter. No potato psyllids were found from last week at any of the other fields being monitored by our group in Idaho. Numbers of potato psyllids found were very low. We suggest that scouting programs in Idaho be intensified, and that IPM programs be ready. Refer to the following sites for guidance on scouting and IPM programs for potato psyllids:
http://potatoes.com/IPMStuff/PDFs/Idaho%20recommendations%20%202012%20final.pdf
http://www.potatoes.com/pdfs/PotatoPsyllid.pdf
More information on potato psyllids and zebra chip can be found here:
http://www.kimberly.uidaho.edu/potatoes/
» http://www.kimberly.uidaho.edu/potatoes/
» http://potatoes.com/IPMStuff/PDFs/Idaho%20recommendations%20%202012%20final.pdf
no potato psyllids in Idaho so far
Potato All Locations
potato psyllid
Posted on: June 22, 2012 by Erik Wenninger
No potato psyllids found on potatoes in Idaho so far...
Updated 22 June 2012
Erik Wenninger, Nora Olsen, Phil Nolte, Mike Thornton, and Alex Karasev, in cooperation from Jeff Miller and Andy Jensen, are monitoring potato fields in Idaho for potato psyllids and Liberibacter, the bacterium that causes zebra chip (ZC). We are still processing some of the samples collected this week, but so far no potato psyllids have been found in any of the fields we are monitoring in Idaho. More information on potato psyllids and zebra chip can be found here: http://www.kimberly.uidaho.edu/potatoes/
Malheur Experiment Station Field Day
Announcements All Locations
Posted on: June 22, 2012 by Jerry Neufeld
Oregon State University will be hosting the “Summer Farm Festival and Malheur Experiment Station Field Day” on July 11, 2012. Click on the pdf below for more information.
Potato Psyllid and Zebra Chip
Announcements All Locations
Potato Psyllid
Posted on: June 15, 2012 by Jerry Neufeld
Click on the pdf below for the latest edition (June 14) of the “Potato Progress”. This edition has an update on Potato Psyllid and Zebra Chip.
potato psyllid updates
All Crops Magic Valley
potato psyllid
Posted on: June 14, 2012 by Erik Wenninger
Updates on potato psyllids and ZC in the PNW
1. A single potato psyllid was found in each of two commercial fields in Oregon (Irrigon, OR on June 11 and Hermiston, OR on June 13). Both tested negative for Liberibacter, the pathogen that causes ZC. Numbers of potato psyllids in fields are very low. We suggest that scouting programs in Idaho be intensified, and that IPM programs be ready.
2. Surveys of emerged potato volunteers by Oregon State University in the Columbia Basin have reported ZC symptomatic plants that have tested positive for Liberibacter. Volunteers could be a source of the bacterium and efforts should be used to reduce volunteer populations in rotational crops. Closely monitor volunteers and submit any symptomatic plants for further analysis.
3. Potato psyllids were recently found on greenhouse-grown plants at garden centers in Boise and Twin Falls, ID. So far these psyllids have tested negative for Liberibacter. Potato psyllids are a difficult pest to manage in the greenhouse and have a broad host range, including common garden center plants like tomatoes and peppers, so these findings are not surprising. Potato psyllids have almost certainly occurred in greenhouses and garden centers in the PNW for many years. The relative importance of field infestations in the PNW originating from infested garden center plants, overwintering populations on weed hosts, and immigration from southern overwintering sites remains to be explored.
4. No potato psyllids have been found on potatoes in Idaho so far...
The take home message from all of these findings is that scouting programs for potato psyllids should be intensified, and IPM programs should be in place. Refer to the following sites for guidance on scouting and IPM programs for potato psyllids:
http://potatoes.com/IPMStuff/PDFs/Idaho%20recommendations%20%202012%20final.pdf
http://www.potatoes.com/pdfs/PotatoPsyllid.pdf
See this site for more psyllid links: http://www.kimberly.uidaho.edu/potatoes/
Field Days to Highlight Alternative Production Practices
All Crops All Locations
Posted on: June 14, 2012 by Jennifer Miller
The Northwest Center for Alternative to Pesticides (NCAP) is organizing two field days in June to highlight alternative production practices – Blue Sage Farm of Shoshone, ID on June 20 and Hamanishi Farms of Fruitland, ID on June 27.
Wednesday, June 20
Blue Sage Farm http://bluesagefarm.com/
Shoshone, Idaho
Check-in at 9 am
Tour from 9:30 am – 12:30 pm; Lunch at 12:30 pm
$15 per person (Lunch provided)
Register by June 14 at www.pesticide.org or with Jen Miller (jmiller@pesticide.org or 208-850-6504)
Laura Sluder of Blue Sage Farm in Shoshone will host a tour of her sheep dairy. Sluder milks 70 sheep and produces feta and manchego-style cheese with the farm’s cheesemaker, Jillian Greenawalt. Greenawalt also milks her dairy goats and produces a variety of chevre at the farm.
Sluder uses her working Belgian horses for much of the fieldwork. Attendees will be treated to a horse-drawn tour of the farm. The field day will feature the milking parlor, the cheese-making facility, grazing for weed management, and alternative forages.
University of Idaho extension educators Christi Falen and Mario de Haro Marti will describe their work with Sluder on forages and cover crop trials and a whey and offal composting project, respectively.
Wednesday, June 27
Hamanishi Farms http://www.hamanishifarms.com
Fruitland, Idaho
Check-in at 9 am
Tour from 9:30 am – 12 pm; Lunch at 12 pm
$15 per person (Lunch provided)
Register by June 21 at www.pesticide.org or with Jen Miller (jmiller@pesticide.org or 208-850-6504)
George McClelland and Jon Fabricius of Hamanishi Farms produce mint, alfalfa, wheat, onions, corns and beans on 1,000 acres and certified organic mint, alfalfa and wheat on 70 acres. The tour will highlight a trial of cover crop mulches for weed suppression, which the farm is working to develop in its organic and conventional mint, the on-farm composting operation, and a permanent drip system.
Additional tour details at www.pesticide.org.
These field days are supported in part by the USDA Risk Management Agency and NCAP business sponsors, including Brandtastic Soil, Café Mam, Frontier Natural Products Co-op, Organic Valley NOVA, Magic Valley Compost, Pharmgrade Compost, Magic Valley Compost, Perma-Guard, We Rent Goats, and Western Ag Research.
###
Updates on PNW Potato Psyllid and Zebra Chip
Potato All Locations
Potato Psyllid
Posted on: June 8, 2012 by Andy Jensen
Attached is Volume 12, Number 10 of the Potato Progress.
This issue answers a number of questions many of you have about zebra chip (ZC) and potato psyllid. In this issue: answers to several of the many good questions we received during the psyllid workshops held throughout the region, some information on psyllid overwintering, something about insecticide tests from WSPC-funded work in Texas, and some detailed information and photos to help with psyllid monitoring using yellow sticky cards (the latter will also be posted on the website, www.nwpotatoresearch.com).
Idaho Potato Psyllid Monitoring Update
Potato All Locations
Potato Psyllid
Posted on: June 7, 2012 by Erik Wenninger
No potato psyllids found on potatoes in Idaho so far…
Updated 7 June 2012
Erik Wenninger, Nora Olsen, Phil Nolte, Mike Thornton, and Alex Karasev, in cooperation from Jeff Miller and Andy Jensen, are monitoring potato fields in Idaho for potato psyllids and Liberibacter, the bacterium that causes zebra chip (ZC). This project, funded by the Idaho Potato Commission, includes a total of about 14 grower fields across the Treasure Valley, Magic Valley, and eastern Idaho. We began taking weekly samples during the week of May 21. Sampling efforts include yellow sticky traps (for adults), leaf samples (for nymphs), and vacuum samples (for adults; the vacuum sampler is a leaf blower with a vacuum attachment and a net to capture insects removed from potato foliage). So far no potato psyllids have been observed in any of our samples. We are only able to cover so much acreage in our sampling efforts, so we encourage all growers and crop consultants to conduct sampling as well. Photographs and key diagnostic characters of the different life stages of potato psyllids can be found at http://www.kimberly.uidaho.edu/potatoes/. You also may take samples to your local University of Idaho R & E Center to confirm identifications. We will continue to provide periodic updates of our monitoring efforts, and we will send out an immediate notification upon detection of any potato psyllids in potato. Potato psyllids also will be tested for presence of the ZC bacterium.
Traps working in Gem County
Tree Fruits Treasure Valley - Idaho
Wester Cherry Fruit Fly
Posted on: June 4, 2012 by Tony McCammon
ISDA traps confirmed that western cherry fruit fly have emerged in Gem county. As of last Friday they caught 12 flies. If your Cherries are turning Yellow control this pest before they lay their eggs in the fruit. Use Carbaryl, malathion, Spinosad, delegate, Imidan, or Asana according to label recommendations.
Eastern Pest found in Idaho
All Crops Treasure Valley - Idaho
Brown Marmalated Stinkbug
Posted on: June 4, 2012 by Tony McCammon
Idaho’s first brown marmorated stink bug was identified after it was turned in by an alert homeowner in Nampa. The homeowner had recently moved from an infested area in the mid-Atlantic area where the insects are widespread, and it is likely that the insect “hitchhiked” to Idaho as a stowaway in moving material. The Idaho State Department of Agriculture is working with the homeowner to destroy any other stinkbugs that may have tagged along, and will monitor for the insect in nearby areas. To report a suspected find of BMSB in Idaho, please contact local University of Idaho Extension offices or contact ISDA at (208) 332-8627. It is best to provide an actual specimen for identification when reporting. See a helpful identification picture below.
Stripe Rust
Small Grains Magic Valley
stripe rust
Posted on: May 30, 2012 by Jerry Neufeld
Strip rust was observed in the Magic Valley as of 5/28/2012 and confirmed on 5/30/2012 by Dr. Oliver T. Neher, University of Idaho. Infection was reported on winter wheat ‘Brundage’ planted the second week of September the previous year.
Resistant varieties should not need fungicide applications, but nevertheless, growers should scout all wheat fields as the prevalent strains of the fungi can change, affecting different varieties.
It is important to protect susceptible varieties with a fungicide as yield losses to this disease can be significant. Both strobilurin (Quadris, Headline) and triazole (Caramba, Tilt, Proline, Folicur, Prosaro) fungicides are equally effective in protecting against subsequent stripe rust infections, as are mixed mode-of-action fungicides (TwinLine, Quilt, Quilt Excel, Stratego). However, if stripe rust is currently in your crop, it is recommended that you include a triazole fungicide for the slightly curative activity. Fungicide ratings for stripe rust from the mid-west are: Excellent = azoxystrobin (Quadris), pyraclostrobin (Headline), metconazole (Caramba), tebuconazole (Folicur), and fungicide mixes rated Excellent for stripe rust includes prothioconazole and tebuconazole (both found in Prosaro), and the strobiluron / triazole mixes line, Twinline, Quilt or Quilt Xcel. Rated very good was propiconizole (Tilt), and the mix of propiconazole and trifloxystrobin (Stratego). This information is provided only as a guide. Other fungicides may also be labeled and effective against stripe rust. Inclusion in this list is not intended as a product endorsement and exclusion from this list is not meant to imply other products are ineffective.
Additional information and pictures are available on the Cereals Extension website for southern and southeast Idaho: http://www.extension.uidaho.edu/scseidaho/disease/disease_index.htm
Western Cherry Fruit Fly
Tree Fruits Treasure Valley - Idaho
WCFF - Cherry Maggot
Posted on: May 21, 2012 by Tony McCammon
Jodie Ellis ISDA entomologist put together the upcoming emergence chart for Western Cherry Fruit fly. See the attached Memo.
Fruit Pest Alert
Tree Fruits Treasure Valley - Idaho
Peach Leaf Curl, Fire Blight, and other Fruit Pests
Posted on: May 21, 2012 by Tony McCammon
Attached Find the third Advisory for homeowner and Fruit grower Fruit Pests.
alfalfa pests
Alfalfa Treasure Valley - Oregon
aphids, weevils, lygus
Posted on: May 17, 2012 by Jerry Neufeld
Dr. Clint Shock, Superintendent at the OSU Malheur County Experiment Station is reporting that lots of aphids, weevils, and lygus are being found in alfalfa hay fields near Nyssa and Vale. Oregon.
sugarbeet root maggot
Sugarbeets Magic Valley
sugarbeet root maggot
Posted on: May 16, 2012 by Jerry Neufeld
The following information was provided by Dr. Erik J. Wenninger, Entomology and Extension Specialist with the University of Idaho at the Kimberly Research & Extension Center.
The degree day calculator (hosted by the Integrated Plant Protection Center at Oregon State University) for the sugar beet root maggot fly shows that—depending on your location in the Magic Valley—we have accumulated more than 360 degree days since March 1, 2012. Peak flight of root maggot flies should occur after 360 accumulated degree days when the maximum high temperature exceeds 80 degrees F. In the Mini-Cassia area, this usually occurs around the 2nd of June, but with warmer weather this year, peak flight in Rupert was predicted to have occurred on May 14.
Monitoring flies adjacent to your sugar beet fields using orange sticky stake traps will provide even more useful information regarding the local population densities of flies. The Amalgamated Sugar Company monitors flies with sticky stake traps throughout the Mini-Cassia area and posts the counts on their website: http://www.srcoop.com/ The economic threshold for application of granular insecticides against root maggots is an accumulative total of 40-50 sugar beet root maggot flies per sticky stake trap (the threshold varies depending on your contract price per ton). In the Mini-Cassia area, which historically has had high root maggot pressure, growers should consider an insecticide application 10 days before exceeding threshold captures on sticky stakes. Otherwise, insecticide applications should be made within 10 days before or after reaching the threshold (the closer to the threshold date, the better). Activation of granular insecticides should be accomplished by irrigation as soon after application as possible. See University of Idaho publication CIS 999, IPM Guide to Sugar Beet Root Maggot: http://www.uiweb.uidaho.edu/sugarbeet/insc/sbmaggot.htm
You can monitor degree day accumulation for sugarbeet root maggots as follows:
1) Log onto: http://uspest.org/cgi-bin/ddmodel.pl?spp=srm
2) Select “Sugarbeet Root Maggot Bechinski et al. 1990” degree day model from the “Select degree day model….” drop down box at the top of the form
3) In the “Select location” box, select a location in the drop down box best describing your location (e.g. “RUPERT id agmet” in the “Washington, Idaho” box if you want information for a field near Rupert). Make sure to select “None” at the top of the lists in the other two location boxes.
4) Leave the “Or upload your own…” box blank
5) In the “Forecast:” area, enter your zip code or your city, state in the “NWS zipcode/city, state” box, or the location nearest your field from the “or weather.com site” drop down box to the right). This selection forecasts 7 days forward based on the local weather forecast (beyond 7 days the forecast is based on the historical average). The predicted date of peak fly flight will vary depending on the forecast location selected, so pick the one closest to your location. Select “none” to have the forecast based only on the historical average.
6) Select the location nearest your field in the “Select historical average forecast location” area. Your selection here should match, as close as possible, your selection in the “Select location” area above: there may not be an exact match. As above, select “none” in the other two boxes.
7) Make sure the “Table” and “graph” boxes are checked (and the “precipitation” if you want rainfall information) and click the “Calc” button. A table with the current degree day accumulations matching your selection should appear. There should also be a graph near the bottom showing the current year accumulation compared to the historical average for your selections.
onion thrips
Onion Treasure Valley - Idaho
thrips
Posted on: May 16, 2012 by Jerry Neufeld
Dr. Mike Thornton from the UI Parma station is reporting that they are starting to find a few onion thrips in their plants samples. While we have not yet reached the action threshold of 1 thrips per plant, the warm weather forecast for the next week means that insect populations may build very rapidly. He advises that growers begin scouting for thrips in the next few days to help in scheduling the first insecticide application.
Idaho
Potato All Locations
Potato Psyllid
Posted on: May 14, 2012 by Nora Olsen
REMINDER
Idaho zebra chip (ZC) and potato psyllid workshops scheduled for this week.
To help industry prepare for psyllid monitoring and scouting, several training sessions have been scheduled. The workshops will have an open format, and we ask people to come any time that fits their schedule during each session. This will allow more personal attention and access to specimens and samples as people come and go. Dates, times, and locations for these sessions are:
May 15, 9:30 – noon, Parma Research and Extension Center, 29603 U of I Lane, Parma
May 16, 9:30 – noon, Miller Research LLC, 426 East 200 North, Rupert
May 17, 9:30 – noon, Idaho Falls R & E Center, 1776 Science Center Dr.
Colorado Potato Beetle
Potato Treasure Valley - Idaho
Colorado Potato Beetle
Posted on: May 11, 2012 by Jerry Neufeld
The following information was provided by Dr. Mike Thornton, Potato Specialist at the UI Parma R and E Center.
“The mild winter means that plenty of volunteer plants are starting to emerge in fields that were in potatoes last year. These volunteers can allow many potato disease and insect problems to get started before moving into nearby commercial fields. Specifically, I have seen a few adult Colorado potato beetles (CPB) feeding on emerged volunteers. These adults don’t usually cause a lot of damage, but will be laying eggs very soon. The first generation of CPB that hatches from these eggs can be very damaging in fields that have not been treated with a systemic insecticide at planting, and these fields should be scouted after emergence.”
lygus bug
Alfalfa Seed Treasure Valley - Idaho
lygus
Posted on: May 4, 2012 by Jerry Neufeld
The following information was provided by Dr. Jim Barbour, IPM Specialist at the UI Parma R and E Center.
The Lygus degree day calculator hosted by Integrated Plant Protection Center at Oregon State University and the IPM Centers - PNW Coalition (http://pnwpest.org/cgi-bin/ddmodel.pl?spp=lyg) shows that, depending on your location in the Treasure Valley, we have accumulated about 230 days since January 1, 2012. Peak emergence of lygus bug 1st and 2nd instar nymphs should occur right around 272 accumulated degree days: this varies year-to-year, but usually occurs around mid-May, and is the time to begin monitoring for lygus bugs in alfalfa seed fields. In the Treasure Valley that is predicted to occur between May 10 and May 14, depending on your location.
You can monitor degree day accumulation using the link provided above and:
1) Select “ lygus bug [alfalfa seed]Ben Simko 2000” degree day model from the “Select degree day model….” drop down box at the top of the form: the lower and upper temperature threshold boxes (52 and 130 degrees F) and the start and end date boxes (Jan 1 and Aug 31) should automatically fill.
2) In the “Select location” box, select a location in the drop down box best describing your location (e.g. “parma id agrimet” in the “Washington, Idaho” box if you want information for a field near Parma). Make sure “None” is selected in the boxes for the other two locations.
3) Leave the “Or upload your own…” box blank
4) In the “Forecast:” area, enter the zip code or your city and state in the “NWS zip code/city, state” box, or the location nearest your field from the “or weather.com site” drop down box to the right). This selection forecasts 7 days forward based on the local weather forecast (beyond 7 days the forecast is based on the historical average). The predicted date of peak 1st and 2nd instar will vary depending on the forecast location selected, so pick the one closest to your location. Select “none” to have the forecast based only on the historical average.
5) Select the location nearest your field in the “Select historical average forecast location” area. Your selection here should match, as close as possible, your selection in the “Select location” area above: there may not be an exact match. As above, select “none” in the other two boxes.
6) Make sure the “Table” and “Graph” boxes are checked (and the “Include precipitation…” if you want rainfall information) and click the “Calc” button. A table with the current degree day accumulations matching your selection should appear. There should also be a graph near the bottom showing the current year accumulation compared to the historical average for your selections.
